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[John Curtin]

You know that 25 song free trial emusic does?  Yeah.

Anyway, I liked the sound of it and signed up for it.  I then had to go somewhere, and promptly forgot about it.  Two weeks and one day later I remembered it and discovered they had charged my credit card for another month's subscription.  Yes, I am one of *those* people.  The people who 'free trial' marketing just feeds off.

Anyway, long story short, I have 75 free downloads.  I need suggestions for what to get.  You people have a vast knowledge of the music scene, and I thought I'd go here for some ideas, if anyone's willing to help a brother out.

So here is a list of some stuff I like (you might have a vague idea that I'm into classical music mainly; this is true but I only buy classical music on CDs for the sound quality):

 - Fast poppish rock kind of stuff like Supergrass, or the Hives maybe (I can't stand stuff like the Strokes or Kaiser Chiefs though so that might give you more of an idea)

 - Retro 60s pop style stuff like The Minders (as in, the good songs by the Minders [as in, Hooray For Tuesday and nothing else])

 - Whatever you call The Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev.  Generic indie rock, done well?

 - Noisy stuff like Sonic Youth or The Jesus and Mary Chain

 - Upbeat house-ish dancey stuff (I'm not really a huge expert on this so I'm not sure what 'house' actually is) like, say Justice, Daft Punk or LCD Soundsystem

 - Upbeat brassy RnB-ish world-ish dancey stuff like, say Ozomatli (yeah they don't really fit categories do they)

At the moment I feel like getting stuff that I'd be able to put on at a party and get people dancing and not really put too many people off, since I usually don't buy that sort of music.  Since it's sort of 'free' though, I'm more inclined to pick that kind of thing up (I mean, the money's already gone down the drain, I figure).

Anyway, any kind of suggestions would be much appreciated.  Don't feel you need to fit in the constrains of the list, and caustic one liners will be much appreciated.

[Johnny C]

To satisfy the 60s/Indie Rock criteria, the first New Pornographers album 'Mass Romantic' is literally the most agreeable album recorded in the last decade or so. I know we recommend it in every thread but there is a reason. Also, when people inevitably chime in to say "I like 'Electric Cinema' or 'Twin Cinema' better", just ignore the living shit out of them. That will only apply if you are smoking as much crack as they are.

I love Twin Cinema but Mass Romantic is superior. Electric Version has "The Laws Have Changed" but otherwise is weak as far as New Pornos records go.

[John Curtin]

To satisfy the 60s/Indie Rock criteria, the first New Pornographers album 'Mass Romantic' is literally the most agreeable album recorded in the last decade or so. I know we recommend it in every thread but there is a reason. Also, when people inevitably chime in to say "I like 'Electric Cinema' or 'Twin Cinema' better", just ignore the living shit out of them. That will only apply if you are smoking as much crack as they are.

When Sonic Youth signed to Geffen, Blonde Redhead thankfully continued where they had left in the late 80s. Pretty much anything by them would satisfy this criteria. Likewise, the band Yo La Tengo sit pretty much exactly between JAMC and Sonic Youth with varying degrees of brilliance. Once again, none of their album would offend but in particular we always seem to come back to 'I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One'.

If you wanted a challenge, you could do worse than find an album Monroe Mustang. In particular their debut album 'Plain Sweeping Themes for the Unprepared' is a monster of restrained psychedelic rock. Since that seems to be all but out of print, it would be a real coup if you could find the tracks online. It is a slow-burner but overall one of the best albums of its kind for some years.

Man, that is so awesome.  Turns out accidentally having US$20 taken from me was an exceptionally good idea.  I should do things like that more often

Emusic don't have no Plain Sweeping Themes for the Unprepared, but I picked up The Elephant Sound by Monroe Mustang, which I am liking very much.  Also that New Pornographers album is fantastic.  In fact, I would go so far to say that I haven't felt this excited about a new music acquisition for a long time.

Thank you very much!

[Catacombs]

Man, that is so awesome.  Turns out accidentally having US$20 taken from me was an exceptionally good idea.  I should do things like that more often

Hey man for three easy payments of $19.99 i'll send you a guitar that plays itself.  Send the money first though.  Come to think of it a blank check would be best.

[valley_parade]

I will suggest musics by a sunny day in glasgow and also the jim yoshii pile-up.

[Scandanavian War Machine]

Shocking Blue

they rocked the sixties pretty hard and survive today in the form of women's razor ads. good stuff.

[minkles]

If you are one of those few who have not heard Neutral Milk Hotel's "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea", I implore you to do so IMMEDIATELY.  Essential indie rock type music.

For fast poppish rock, I reccomend Ted Leo and the Pharmacists.  Their fastest and poppiest album is "Shake the Sheets", which is a wonderful album to start with.  Some, such as myself, prefer the not quite as poppish but superior "Hearts of Oak" and "The Tyranny of Distance".  Avoid their latest.

For housey dance type music, I strongly reccomend the album "Scale" by Herbert.  Though that's actually not very good music to dance to.  Try it out anyway, yes?  Also, I've heard !!! is some excellent fun dance music, but I can't get into them.

The Unicorns are another fun and weird pop band.  Get their album, "Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone?"  It's like the Flaming Lips on... even more acid. 

I don't need to tell you to listen to the Pixies, do I?

[John Curtin]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone; I have 6 songs left and I'm going to keep it that way, unless someone mentions a really awesome EP of some kind.

For those who're interested, here's the list of downloads:

 - The New Pornographers - Mass Romantic
 - The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema (Tommy and Johnny were both right here if anyone's counting - Mass Romantic is better, but Twin Cinema is pretty good too)
 - Monroe Mustang - The Elephant Sound
 - Yo La Tengo - I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One
 - Blonde Redhead - Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons
 - The Jim Yoshii Pile Up - It's Winter Here

I am thoroughly enjoying them all.  Thankyou all!

[E. Spaceman]

6 songs?

Jawbreaker - Kiss the Bottle (excellent punk)
Camera Obscura - I Love My Jean (excellent guitar 'indie-pop', also a poem by the most excellent poet Robert Burns)
Richard Hawley - Cole's Corner (excellent retro songwriting in the torch song/crooner vein by former Pulp member)
The Magnetic Fields - Take Ecstasy With Me (excellent synth based shambling pop music with an unusual voice)
Spiritualized - Come Together (excellent noisy, driving psych/space-rock by former member of Spacemen 3)
Lucky Soul - One Kiss Don't Make A Summer (excellent 60s pop type song)

[valley_parade]

 - The Jim Yoshii Pile Up - It's Winter Here

I am thoroughly enjoying them all.  Thankyou all!

Let me know how that one is. I only have "Picks Us Apart", which is quite good.

[SeanBateman]

Alternatively, get Rilo Kiley, The initial Friend EP. Only not really because it is 9 songs, sory.

[jimbunny]

Joanna Newsom - Ys

full album, 5 tracks, eh? NUDGE NUDGE

or her new EP, Joanna Newsom & the Ys Street Band. Worth it just for the title.

[E. Spaceman]

no

[Ben yayayayayayayay]

[Lexington, 125]

At the moment I feel like getting stuff that I'd be able to put on at a party and get people dancing and not really put too many people off, since I usually don't buy that sort of music.  Since it's sort of 'free' though, I'm more inclined to pick that kind of thing up (I mean, the money's already gone down the drain, I figure).

Thanks for the suggestions everyone; I have 6 songs left and I'm going to keep it that way, unless someone mentions a really awesome EP of some kind.

Hmmm, I think you may benefit from picking up some Gang of Four..... if it's an ep you're after, "Outside the Trains Don't Run On Time"  is worth getting, if only for the title track.  As a bonus, you'll still have 2 songs left!    Joanna Newsom is a bad idea!

[mfpole]

Umm I have to say it
6 songs..
Slint's Spiderland
Its an awesome album.

EDIT: The other stuff that has been recommended is all stuff worthy of checking out. Gang of Four is one of my favorite bands. Fugazi and Jawbreaker are also very good. Joanna Newsome still sucks though.

[Ernest]

You really could do worse than getting Spiderland.  I still listen to that album on a fairly regular basis.  It's superb.  Also, Slint have been touring, playing it live in its entirety, so on the off-chance you get to see them, the experience would just be all that radder.